Choosing the Right Toothpaste!

Even though we don't consider it so, toothpaste is a staple in our lives and essential to not only our oral health care but overall well being. This is why choosing the best toothpaste for your oral health care needs is crucial to the maintenance and longevity of your smile. There is a wide range of tooth paste types: flavour based toothpastes, fluoride based toothpastes, toothpastes for tartar control, those that aid in treating sensitive teeth and toothpastes for enhanced whitening. There are so many choices, so how do we choose?

• Go for a toothpaste that is Canadian or American Dental Association approved (CDA, ADA). These toothpastes are inspected and screened by dental professionals for standards of effectiveness and safety. All approved toothpastes contain fluoride, which is important in preventing tooth decay. 

• Pick something that suites your dental healthcare needs. For example, if you've felt that your teeth have started to become sensitive and need some help, consider choosing a toothpaste that caters to sensitive teeth and see what brands your dentist may also recommend. Usually toothpastes targeting sensitive teeth issues contain key compounds such as potassium nitrate or strontium chloride.

• Consider a toothpaste that caters to your lifestyle. There's no reason toothpaste has to be boring! There are many toothpaste brands that are all natural for those wanting to stick to vegan or health conscious lifestyle. For kids, there are plenty of fun toothpastes that have tons of fruity and exciting flavours.

Ultimately, toothpaste as mundane as we think it is should be thoughtfully selected to maximize our oral health care benefits.

See the CDA's website for a list of approved oral care products: https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/seal/products/

(Source: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/weighing-your-toothpaste-options?page=2#4)

Why Do We Even Have Wisdom Teeth... Seriously?

Millions of years ago, our ancestors used to walk on all fours and hunt for their meals. Their diets consisted of tough foods like raw meat and plant roots which required more teeth and a larger, protruding jaw to hold all 32 teeth comfortably. As theorized by researchers the third molars, better known as the wisdom teeth were essential to the survival of our ancestors. 

The discovery of fire and the invention tools and utensils  made survival much easier for humans. Along with this, Our diet changed dramatically as We were able to consume softer, more processed foods. The structure of our jaws and teeth composition were altered dramatically with this technological revolution. We no longer needed wisdom teeth and started to lose the capacity to fit them in our jaws. Wisdom teeth no longer serve any functional purpose to us and as most traits that become useless, over time evolution removes them from our anatomy. 

Currently, it is estimated that 35% of people live their lives without even developing wisdom teeth! Bio-engineers are assisting in this evolution away from wisdom teeth as they are researching methods to alter or remove wisdom teeth development in humans.

(Source: http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/evolution/no-wisdom-teeth1.htm)

Dental Sealants

Sealants are a protective coating that can be applied to the surfaces of teeth to help prevent the development of cavities. If you look in your mouth you will notice your back teeth have lots of grooves and fissures. This pattern can make it easy for food to get trapped and for tooth decay to begin. This is especially important in children. The first adult molars come into the mouth at the age of 6 years old; this means these teeth have to stay healthy for a long time (hopefully the rest of your life!). Children are often not very good at brushing and keeping their own teeth clean, which is why it is often suggested to place sealants on their permanent molars soon after they erupt.  

The sealant itself is a plastic coating that can be clear or tooth coloured. It flows into the pits and fissures of the teeth and protects them from being a food trap. There is no drilling involved in the process, the liquid is flowed onto the surface and then cured in place. It is a pain-free and quick procedure, which can help kids keep their permanent teeth healthy until they grow up. Remember, sealants are not a substitute for oral health care. Brushing and flossing are still essential to maintaining a healthy mouth.